The 11 Best Eyeshadows for Hazel Eyes, According to Makeup Artists and Editors

Glittering greens and golds.

Ana de Armas attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you’ve ever looked into a pair of hazel eyes, we’re willing to bet you were entranced. The eye color is typically a combination of greens, golds, and browns and the result is mesmerizing. Just look to hazel-eyed celebrities like Ana de Armas, Lily Collins, and Kristen Stewart for proof of their hypnotic power. If accentuating your eyes is at the top of your beauty wishlist, hazel-eyed beauties can really have fun with their eyeshadow thanks to their multitude of eye colors. 

Pro makeup artist Tonya Riner says as much: “Hazel eyes are a combination of warm bronzes and cool greens, which means you have a range of eyeshadow options to play with,” she explains to Marie Claire. With a range of flattering eyeshadow shades at their disposal, those with hazel eyes have the unique option to accentuate their different eye colors. 

Wondering how? We talked to Riner and fellow pro makeup artist Emily Gray to bring you our guide to the best eyeshadows for hazel eyes. Below, you’ll find the exact shades to reach for to highlight the different colors of your eyes as well as some pro- and editor-approved favorites. Whether you prefer drugstore eyeshadows or luxury gems, cream shadows or eyeshadow palettes, we’ve got you covered. 

What to Look For in Eyeshadows for Hazel Eyes

It doesn't matter if you prefer liquid, powder, or cream eyeshadow—choosing the right eyeshadow colors is what’s going to make your hazel eyes pop. Because hazel eyes typically have a combo of green, gold, and/or brown, the best eyeshadow color depends on what color you want to highlight, Gray says. 

Think back to complementary colors on the color wheel. Gray explains, “Colors opposite of each other on the color wheel are going to make the colors the most vivid.” So what are the complementary colors those with hazel eyes should pay attention to? Gray breaks it down:

  • To bring out the green: use red and rose-toned shadow colors
  • To bring out the brown: use blue shadow colors
  • To bring out the gold: use purple shadow colors

Best Eyeshadows for Hazel Eyes

Meet the Experts

Tonya Riner headshot makeup artist
Tonya Riner

Tonya Riner is a beauty expert and makeup artist with thirty years of experience in the industry.

Tonya’s work has been featured prominently in the media, including Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue and Paper City among other publications and destinations and Allure Magazine has named her one of the best makeup artists in the United States.  Her backstage work has included being a member of the renowned styling teams of Frederic Fekkai and Ted Gibson. Her bona fides in the entertainment industry include work on Beyonce’s chart-topping video for "Blow".  And her long list of celebrity and bold print clients includes Kate Upton, Simone Biles, Heidi Klum, Elle Macpherson and Annie Leibovitz among others. 

Portrait of emily gray pro makeup artist
Emily Gray

Emily prides herself on a balanced skill set of bold glamour, flawless editorial, and clean natural looks. However, her true gift is making her clients realize their most beautiful selves while simultaneously putting them at ease with the entire process. Emily's background studying classic art combined with her relentless quest for staying current with the freshest styles and latest techniques makes her the celebrated artist she has become. Emily splits most of her time bouncing back and forth between Nashville, Detroit, and Los Angeles. Some of her clientele include Kristin Cavallari, Maren Morris, Lily Aldridge, and Leann Rimes, 

Brooke Knappenberger
Associate Commerce Editor

Brooke Knappenberger is the Associate Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she writes across the board from fashion and beauty to books and celebrities. As a pop culture junkie, Brooke obsessively consumes and writes about the latest movie releases, streaming TV shows, and celebrity scandals. She has over three years of experience writing on fashion, beauty, and entertainment and her work has appeared on Looper, NickiSwift, The Sun US, and Vox Magazine of Columbia, Missouri. Brooke obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism with an emphasis on Magazine Editing and has a minor in Textile and Apparel Management.